Bridgewater 5K Race Honors Life Of Son, Brother

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — After the death of Piscataway local Sean Hanna to pediatric cancer, his brother Jessie created a foundation in his name to help others going through the same thing.

The Sean Hanna Foundation is run by Hanna’s family including his mother Linda. The foundation is now celebrating its 10-year anniversary and 10th annual 5K run/walk at Duke Island Park in Bridgewater.

The race is the biggest fundraiser of the year for the foundation — a 501(c)3 charity. All proceeds go towards research for pediatric cancer and to help other families with loved ones diagnosed.

As a child, Sean began experiencing issues but he was repeatedly misdiagnosed. Until he was just 7 years old when he was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Disease.

Sean was treated for years while undergoing countless rounds of chemo, surgeries and three transplants.

A Rutgers University student, Sean ultimately died at the age of 20.

Linda Hanna’s oldest son, Jessie, had just graduated from Rutgers as well and was working when Sean died. His death impacted in such a way that Jessie quit his job and went back to medical school to become a doctor, Linda said.

“As a result of what happened to his brother he went back to school and is now a New York City doctor," Linda said. “It was a way to honor his brother.”

Jessie then created the Sean Hanna Foundation as another way to honor his brother. His mom and sister also help run the foundation.

“The foundation is a way to honor the way Sean lived and the person he was,” Linda said. “It’s a way of helping people going through the same thing Sean went through. I hope one day through research and funding we can have a cure for pediatric cancer. It is the number one killer of children under 20. But the research is severely underfunded.”

Linda a former runner, is very proud of the 5K which is much more than a race. There will also be raffle baskets, T-shirts, medals, giveaways, face painting for kids, a barbecue, disc jocket and more.

Participants can run or walk or just come enjoy the festivities. For registration and more information CLICK HERE.

For more information on the foundation or to make a donation visit seanhannafoundation.org.

(Image via Linda Hanna: Sean Hanna and a previous year's race festivities.)

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